The coalition, made up of groups including the ACLU of Maine and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, laid out its legislative priorities on Tuesday at the State House.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ A coalition of Maine organizations focusing on women's issues is backing a bill to expand Medicaid under the federal health care overhaul among other measures this Legislative session.

The Coalition for Maine Women says that Medicaid expansion under the Accordable Care Act will provide low-income women access to things like preventative health care and cancer screenings.

The coalition, made up of groups including the ACLU of Maine and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, laid out its legislative priorities on Tuesday at the State House.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage's administration, which opposes expanding Medicaid, says the costs to the state will be too significant. It says the state must provide services for the thousands of disabled and elderly on waiting lists in the program before expanding it to cover non-disabled adults.